MATTHEW 28 - THE GREAT COMMISSION

"I wonder what would happen if the world's greatest atheist had a come-to-Jesus moment?"

http://christiantimes.com/article/kevin-sorbo-stars-in-new-film-about-an-atheists-conversion-to-christianity/61955.htm

This sounds like this could be a very good movie. While I think "God's Not Dead" was just an OK movie with a very scattered story aproach, we need more content in the mainstream to highlight on the fact that God is working today and the fact that we need Him desperately!

I work in a very dark industry. Many people openly mock Jesus, Christianity and the Bible in the entertainment business. I can not tell you how many times I hear the Lords name used as a profanity. I also hear people say, "religion is OK as long as you keep it to yourself." People champion their sin, expect others to support their choices, and to walk down that road with them hand in hand.

I know there are many closet Christians in entertainment, but why? What about the "Great Commission" in Matthew 28 : "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Are we not to be making disciples and desperately reaching the lost for the sake of Christ?

We cannot change anyone, that is up to God. But before someone will recognize their sin, they need Jesus. If they stop their sin but do not except Jesus, they are still lost.

If we truly believe that the Bible is the word of God, we must be doing something to reach the lost everyday. We need to be praying daily for our loved ones, friends, co-workers and strangers. Praying for our schools, government and nation.

We need to be living out the gospel with our lives and using our talents for the Kingdom and not shying away from the Truth that is in us.

I met Kevn Sorbo at a Comic Con once. He is a very nice guy and open about his faith. Sure he is successful in his career, but we cannot let the idea of career "success" be out gaol. "Success" should be defined as reaching one more for the kingdom. We need to stand at the gates of hell redirecting traffic.

What will you do today for Him? Please share Jesus with someone today. Right a letter or email. Draw or paint a picture and post it on Facebook or give it to someone and then pray for them, right there. Give someone a hand up today or just spend time with someone in need.

There is someone in your life today that needs Jesus. Go find them, share your faith, your hope, and the Truth of God's redeeming love.

The Blessings and Peace of God be with all of you!

LUKE 39: 39-43

As many fall into the spiral of political and social chaos, we as Christ followers need to remember where our hope must fall and where the Truth lives. Man is sinful, and no man or women can save us. No political leader can ever provide True freedom. Our hope, freedom and salvation rests in Jesus Christ alone. Only in Him are we saved and guaranteed a place in heaven away from the pains of sin and death. Only with Jesus. I encourage everyone reading this page to seek Him first. In our thoughts, word, actions, and art. Our very lives need to point to Christ. My hope and prayers are for everyone to be on their knees for this nation and this world and to share the promise of Christ with your neighbor, whomever that may be. That is our greatest need and our only hope. In His perfect name I pray, Amen.

More "faith-based" films

This year there are many "faith based" movie out in theaters.  War Room, 90 Minutes in Heaven, Heaven is for Real, Woodlawn, Noah, and coming out in time for Easter, The Young Messiah, just to name a few.  While I am encouraged to see Hollywood bending slightly to the idea of Christian values on the big screen, all these films are not the same and some discretion should be taken when viewing these films.

Films like  90 Minutes in Heaven, Heaven is for Real, while inspiring and points to a Higher Power, are not necessarily Biblically accurate.  I am not totally against these films as long as you are engaged in a Bible study that addresses life after death.  For example...Luke 23:43, 2 Corinthians 5:8 or Hebrews 9:27.

Then there is Noah and The Young Messiah.  These are pretty much Hollywood films.  Noah used very little from the Bible and is pure "Hollywood." The Young Messiah is about the life of the young Jesus.

The Director of The Young Messiah, Cyrus Nowrasteh, explained the film this way.  "It’s important to us that The Young Messiah inspires people to visit, or revisit, Jesus’ story from a fresh new angle..."

There is a problem here.  In His Word, God gave us all we needed to know about the life of the young Jesus.  Although the director might have good intentions, the images and creative licenses used in this film are totally made up.  There are only a few times in the Bible that talk about the adolescent Jesus, which are important accounts, but none of which show him healing people or bringing birds to life.  "A fresh new angle should not include adding accounts to the Bible which never happened.
I am not saying do not go and see this movie, but I am saying it is not Biblically true.  Go see the film but use discernment on what you actually take from it.

My fear would be that people will get their "theology" from movies verses the Bible itself.  This has happened with books where people are reading books "about" the Bible rather then the reading the Bible.

Films like Noah and The Young Messiah can be good, but only as a bridge to bring the Bible and Jesus into conversations.  If you do see these films and have conversations, please be rooted in the word so you can help people see and know what is True and what is fiction.

On the flip side, films like Facing the Giants, War Room and Woodlawn are rooted in what the Bible teaches and asks of us.  They are entertaining but support Biblical teaching and values.  Films such as these put the Word into practice by showing the application of Biblical teaching.

In any event, when having conversations and in your work in entertainment, I would encourage you seek Him through prayer, be grounded in His Word, and let your life's work be about glorifying Him.  This is where true success can be found.

Listen to Director Jon Erwin talks with Dennis Rainey about the making of the inspirational feature film, Woodlawn: http://familylifetoday.com/program/woodlawn-making-the-movie/?autoPlay=y

"Faith-Based" films

I'd like to say that I am optimistic about the growing number of faith based films in Hollywood, but I am not.  At lease not the ones being promoted.

The term "faith based" is correct.  These films, or at least the ones already produced and named in this article, are loosely based on Biblical accounts.  They start with the Biblical accounts but then sacrifice the foundation and Truth for high budget FX and box office numbers.  Don't get me wrong, I am happy that Hollywood is allowing faith films to penetrate their empty, rude and sex driven culture.  I just pray that after watching these films, people go deeper, in some of these films cases, much deeper and find the saving grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Some fantastic faith based films that were not mentioned are ones like Facing the Giants, Courageous, Fire Proof and also What If staring Kevin Sorbo. Please check these out.

Any thoughts?

http://www.newsmax.com/jameshirsen/hollywood-faith-religion-christianity/2015/05/04/id/642389/

Biblical Christianity vs. Commercial Christianity

Here is an interesting article. 
http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/the-pulse/47904-21-contrasts-between-commercial-and-biblical-christianity

More and more we see Jesus being pushed to the side.  People like some of what the bible says so long as they don't need to change their way of life.  Even "Christians" are adopting a view point of tolerance for other faiths and watering down the Gospel, picking and choosing what they want to believe and leaving out the truly convicting passages.  We see the rise of more and more "seeker friendly" churches who are more concerned about the numbers in the door verses those saved for the Kingdom.  People are church hoping until they find the "perfect church" that makes them feel good.  As my pastor has said, if you find the perfect church don't go there because you will mess it up.  But seriously, our faith is not about having an emotional experience, our culture has gotten more concerned about feeling good and getting donuts after a service, or making sure the congregation is entertained rather then being convicted.  All love, no Truth.

Another article claims that in "2012, nearly 20% of the public now consider themselves atheist, agnostic."  

http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2015/01/christianity_is_losing_in_america.html

It's no wonder.  When you are wish-washy on the foundational teachings of your faith there is nothing to stand on.  You can on except beliefs that go against the core of Biblical teaching.  People will walk away.

As Christians working in entertainment, this should convict us.  We are not here to sell Jesus.  We are here to bow down and serve Him and His people, for His glory, not ours.  Love and Truth.  You cannot have two foundations

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. ²⁶ Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷ The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

Matthew 7:24-27

 

Hercules Actor: ‘Being a Christian in Hollywood, You Get Attacked’

Great article and interview!

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/michael-w-chapman/hercules-actor-being-christian-hollywood-you-get-attacked?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=marketing&utm_term=facebook&utm_content=facebook&utm_campaign=n-hercules-christian-hollywood

Prosperity gospel is a false gospel

I know this blog is for glorifying God through our work and talents in art and entertainment, but because I care so much for everyone here I cannot seem to let this go.  For the third time in as many days I have heard someone saying that God wants you to be rich and to have all you desire.  Money, cars, stuff, etc.  This is a false message and one that will take you further from Him.  We need to be running to get closer to Him, not further away.

There is a mega church that is saying thus "I just want to encourage every one of us to realize when we obey God we’re not doing it for God — I mean that’s one way to look at it,"

Sorry, that's the ONLY way to look at it.
"Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." - (2 Corinthians 9:13)

The mega-church "preacher" continues... “We’re doing it for yourself, because God takes pleasure when were happy.  That’s the thing that gives him the greatest joy this morning … just do good for your own self. Do good because God wants you to be happy.  When you come to church when you worship him, you’re not doing it for God, really. You’re doing it for yourself, because that’s what makes God happy.”

What!? That's not what the Bible, God's Word, says.

God takes pleasure when we are obedient.  "The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." - (Psalm 147:11)

God wants us to be obedient and righteous in His eyes.   Only then are we blessed, not for our sake, but for His glory.

This is seen throughout scripture.  Zacharias and Elizabeth were blessed with a child at an old age, not just any child but the forerunner for Christ - (Luke 1:17).  Why, because "Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly." (Luke 1:6)  Mary was blessed to be the mother of Jesus, our Savior.
“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” - (Luke 1:28)

Read "Mary's Song in Luke 1:46-56.  She even says, "He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble  He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty." - (Luke 1:52-53)

Read Ecclesiastes as Solomon declares that "all is vanity"

Please, please, for your good and His glory, live for Him, work for Him, strive to be righteous before Him.  Then you are blessed.  Not with wealth or material things, but with salvation and the chance to be part of God's perfect plan for the salvation of many.

It is not about money or stuff.  He is the way, the Truth and the life.  You can not drive to Heaven in a Mercedes.  You are only saved in Christ alone by Grace alone, through Faith alone.  Please, for your salvation and witness, read the Bible, study the Bible and spend time with God, not with "preachers" speaking saying that Jesus wants you to be rich.  Jesus wants you to be reconciled to your Creator.  For His glory, Amen!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-V_91c5ojU